Word: sds
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...question is not--as apparently the SDS and the American Anthropological Association see it--whether Professor Herrnstein is a bigot: the question is, is he right? If there is any virtue in our system of intellectual freedom, any value for the society at large, any justification on the grounds that it contributes to rather than detracts from the viability of that society, it lies precisely here: under in the truth will out, or at least it stands a chance. Professor Herrnstein: to his credit, has recognized his responsibility for this ideal by exposing the subject in the marketplace, however irresponsible...
...surrounding Professor Richard Herrnstein's "I.Q." article in The Atlantic has increased dramatically in the past few weeks. Sustained opposition to the article by SDS and the University Action Group has provoked two responses a heightened awareness and criticism of Herrnstein's arguments, and a groundswell of faculty criticism of SDS and UAG. Both the article and the criticism merit a closer look...
...faculty members who supported Herrnstein in a public statement have misrepresented the actions of SDS and UAG. In broad terms they have accused the two groups of making "personal attacks upon Professor Herrnstein--by false and offensive placards, leaflets, picketing, and threats to disrupt his classes," By lumping together these types of protest, the professors seek to eliminate acceptable forms of opposition to Herrnstein's thought. Herrnstein wrote an article with clear political implications. He and his supporters must expect opposition. Leafleting and picketing are justifiable tactics for his adversaries, but the tactics should focus on the ideas...
...many people have discussed this article without reading it. Too many people have accepted the ideas without challenging them. SDS and UAG have helped raise the issues in the Harvard community. Although their actions are clearly not punishable under any rational and equitable system, the two groups have at times lapsed into personal attacks and quoted Herrnstein out of context. But by publicizing the uncertainty of the ideas and the potential harm of their implications, SDS and UAG have performed a service...
...have the right--and, in our opinion, the obligation--to challenge Herrnstein's article. Some Faculty members have done so. But a larger group has only attacked the most vocal segment of Herrnstein's critics. The threat of Herrnstein's ideas is more dangerous than the imagined threat of SDS and UAG to intellectual freedom...